Residents of the Abomiti Zone in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State have raised concerns over ongoing illegal sand mining activities on land allocated to them by the state government.
EpeInsights learnt that the land, covering 239 hectares in the Ilamija area, was granted to the community in 2019 as resettlement after their ancestral land was acquired for the Lekki Free Trade Zone project.
In 2021, the community received a Certificate of Occupancy officially confirming their ownership of the land.
Despite this, residents say they have been facing continuous encroachment by unknown individuals who arrive in large trucks to excavate sand without any approval.
The activities, they say, have caused significant damage to the land and are putting future development efforts at risk.
In response, the community staged a peaceful protest on Friday. Members of the community, including traditional leaders, gathered with placards to express their frustration and call for government intervention.
Many of the placards carried messages demanding respect for their Certificate of Occupancy and an end to the illegal mining operations.
Speaking during the protest, Chairman of the Abomiti Zone, Parcel B, Ayodele Yaya, stated that the land was officially allocated to the community and that the mining activities were being carried out by people whose identities are unknown to them.
He said the community never gave permission for such operations and called the actions a direct threat to their future.
Traditional leaders also voiced their concerns. Baale Bola Olanihun of Imogo Kekere said the community had made multiple attempts to report the issue to the authorities but had received no response.
He warned that the continued silence could escalate tensions.
Baale Omoyemi Ayeola of Aba Oyinbo said the sand excavation had been going on for years, with no success in stopping it despite several efforts. He described the situation as damaging and appealed to relevant authorities to intervene.
Baale Seriki Mutiu of Arala-Afowotera added that more than 100 trucks had entered the land to scoop sand, allegedly under the protection of armed individuals. He said the land was becoming increasingly unstable and unsuitable for building, urging the state government to act swiftly.
During the protest, police officers blocked the entrance to the community to prevent several trucks from leaving with loads of sand.
At least 12 trucks were stopped, and their keys were seized by protesters before the matter was taken to the local police station.
A senior official from the Lagos State Government, who declined to be named, acknowledged that illegal mining is a serious issue affecting multiple communities across the state.
He noted the environmental, economic, and safety risks involved but could not confirm whether the government had received the letters reportedly sent by the Abomiti community.
Residents say they are determined to protect their land and are calling on the Lagos State Government and relevant agencies to investigate and put an immediate stop to the mining operations. They warn that if the issue is not resolved quickly, tensions may rise further.
